a quick errand

Quick errands don't exist here. Well, if I only need to grab some veggies or fruits at the market in our complex, it can be quick. But as soon as I step outside the gates, it seems an hour is automatically added to my trip. Things just take longer. A fine example...

Yesterday, we were "notified" (aka our teammate told us..not the actual workers, like they're supposed to!) us that we had a package in the campus post office. That's right, we don't get mail at our home..we have to go to the campus office to pick it up. :) Anyhoo, after lunch, I told Michael I'd go grab it. He had to be at class early, so that meant I had to take Josiah with me. We all know kids add time to errands--no matter your location! But I was ok with it...still ready to go and come back..easy peasy.

The campus is a 15 min walk, 5 min bike ride, or I could take the bus. The bus sounds lazy, but remember it's cold outside. To save our skin, I opted for the bus. I put Josiah in the stroller and walked to the bus stop. Thankfully, bus #1 came right away! We hopped on. So far, so good....until the bus turned at the stop light. (the only light between us and campus) Michael had seen bus #1 turn at the light before, but thought it looped back around. I actually took it straight to campus the other night--no turning. So I was confused. But, I trusted that it would loop around.

After 2 more stops, there was only 1 other girl on the bus. At the next stop, the worker told us to get off. Well, I assume that's what she said since I understood nothing. I'm sure my face looked terrified. I told her in Chinese where I needed to go. She said that bus doesn't go there..and to get off. So we did.

I saw another bus stop across the street. The only person there was a little grandma who tried to talk to me...of course, I understood nothing. I had NO idea where we were. There were some buildings of what looked like a college, but NO people. Everywhere else was desert. I started to get a little scared of how I was going to get out of there. I frantically called Michael. He assured me I could call our friend Wang to come and pick us up.....except I couldn't because I had no idea where we were!

So we waited. Across the street was a line of five #1 buses--break time, maybe? Surely one of them would take me where I needed to go. One of them finally pulled up. I said the name of the campus--they said no. Great. I think they motioned to wait for another #1 bus. Really? What's the difference?! Probably something in Chinese characters...oh yeah, can't read those. So we waited longer...staring at the bleak desert in front of us. Not a soul around besides grandma.

Finally another #1 bus finished its break. I asked again about my campus. They laughed and said yes. How much you wanna bet they were staring at me the entire time, watching me freak out? We hopped on--all was well. We made it.

The campus PO has 2 offices. One to hold packages only for a few days. If you get there within those few days, you have fewer hoops to jump through to get it. Of course, mine had been moved to the main office already. (Yeah, I don't get it either...) So after lots of charades and a dear student who knew a little English, I got the package. After they asked for my teacher card and passport--neither of which I had. So they copied down my Kansas driver's license number. To finalize things, she had me sign Michael's name randomly on the back of a slip. Classic. :)

I took a taxi home because I just couldn't hold the box, stroller, and Josiah. I had to fight with them for the price because since I'm a foreigner, they think I'm rich. Somehow, I made it up 8 flights of stairs carrying it all. Probably won't try that again.

Nothing can be done quickly here...no matter how hard you try.